The Messenger has often received complaints about the poor workmanship of Council contractors. We have investigated residents’ complaints about the facelift scheme and its contractors on Barnsley Road, but we’ve also received praise for builders employed by a local resident. It seems the home improvement game can be a bit of a lottery.
Facelift or face rift
Story by Rob Smith
Mr Mohamed Quassim contacted the Messenger complaining about the facelift work on Barnsley Road.
The facelift scheme is managed by the Council who contract the work to firms selected from an approved list. Work is done to the front of properties and includes brick cleaning, painting windows, wall building, paths, railings and front gardens. The Council told the Messenger, “Owners can be part of a project group that make decisions on the options available. They can choose paint colours and railing types for example – so the street has a more harmonious feel.”
Mr Quassim, began to explain his complaints but was not alone as Mr Hanif from next door came to join us. 71-year-old Mr Hanif told us he signed plans to have the top soil replaced in the front garden.
“They didn’t even dig out a foot of the old soil before placing topsoil. This was no good, so I bought it to the attention of the site foreman, who agreed and noted the problem. But, up to now nothing has been done to fix this.”
Mr Hanif’s garden wall is cracked and he asked if the contractors would rebuild it – he was told they wouldn’t. “They said they’d point and clean it, but not even that has been done.” The contractors also removed the handrail from the steps to the house claiming they would replace it. “They have not put it back,” said Mr Hanif. “I am 71 and use that handrail to assist me getting to my front door.”
Mr Quassim explained his problems: “I’m not signing a completion certificate to say I’m happy, because I’m not.” He informed us that the plans he’d signed for did not include the extra concrete steps that have now replaced a once continuous slope to the front door. “This is an inconvenience to my children and me, and not in the plan. I stopped the workers, who told me to take it up with the Council and although I showed them the plans I’d agreed and signed, they ignored them and continued with what they were doing.”
Mr Quassim made his complaint official and received a letter from a senior housing officer who explained:
“I have decided that the steps will remain because the slope of the land is too great to meet the regulations without the steps. This is a facelift scheme and not a scheme to make provisions to enable access to the property by a disabled person.The consent form, which you signed, makes provision for the Council to make changes from the original agreed works, at its own discretion.”
We thought the facelift was about giving people and the area a facelift creating a more harmonious feel, but there is no harmonious feeling on Barnsley. The Council are the only ones who can keep their contractors in line, because they hold the purse strings. Should residents be grateful for what they are given, simply because it’s free?
Builders get it right
Story by Kate Atkinson
Despite some difficulties with the grant application process, Sylvia Pennington of Torbay Road, was really pleased with her work and the builders who carried it out. She contacted the Messenger to show just what can be done to improve Burngreave houses.
Sylvia’s main concern was her leaking roof, but the house also needed rewiring and the pebbledashing re-done. She applied for a private sector grant, but the process wasn’t easy.
“Ibrar Hussain was a great help though,” Sylvia told me, “He gave me advice over the phone and got someone from the private sector to talk to me about what I could have for the grant.”
Sylvia had nothing but praise for the builders who carried out the work. DD Roofing, run by Derek and David Thistlethwaite from Woodhouse, repaired the roof. Sylvia said: “They were brilliant!” adding that it was probably because they were a father and son business.
“They take more pride in their work, you see Kate. Derek was a lovely fella, a caring gentle man.That’s what you need when you’re an older person; it gives you peace of mind. I’d recommend them to anyone!”
DD Roofing subcontracted Crabtree Construction to fix the pebbledashing and got her an electrician to rewire the house. “They were brilliant too!” Sylvia said.
Sylvia also got a Parkland Community grant to tarmac her drive, paint her window ledges and resurface her wall. What’s more, Sylvia wanted to tell the Messenger’s readers what having pride in your community can do. She is an active member in the community, attending meetings and contacting authorities to get problems fixed. She told me about the community spirit in her road and the surrounding area, how everybody contributes to litter picking, keeping gardens tidy and looking after each other.
“It’s all about pride and commitment in the area where you live,” she said.
To find out more about grants available for home owners contact the Council on 273 4646. Or to find out about DIY classes for home owners contact Private Sector Housing on 273 4623.